Challenges brewing inside new Sydney law firm Pogust Goodhead after high-profile launch
It’s been 12 months since British law firm Pogust Goodhead opened up shop in Sydney and while the initial plan was to launch up to 10 cases within 18 months in Australia, not a single case has been filed.
NSW
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The arrival of a top British law firm that specialises in class action lawsuits made a splash in Sydney’s business circles, but, 12 months later, the company is yet to file a single case in court, its boss has had to fend off rumours she is leaving and one of its potential investors is in court on domestic violence charges.
Pogust Goodhead (PG), headquartered in London, has won big settlements for consumer claims overseas, including winning a part of a £193 million settlement from Volkswagen on behalf of 15,000 people over emissions cheating devices in cars.
PG set up shop in Sydney last year, with global manager partner Thomas Goodhead saying he hoped to launch up to 10 cases within 18 months in Australia.
But, despite fanfare in the business press, PG’s Australian wing has not filed a single case in court since it was founded, it can be revealed.
Its Sydney page lists just two employees – PG’s head of Australia and partner Amie Crichton and fellow partner Josh Carton – and the most recent update is from last year, celebrating the Harbour City’s office opening.
Ms Crichton was supposed to spearhead the firm’s assault on the class action market – instead, it has appeared to have been radio silence, with rumours she was considering leaving the firm.
However, PG sources flatly denied she was leaving the company this week.
It comes as PG staff were told up to 50 jobs could be cut in London in November.
Meanwhile, barrister Charles Bannister, who previously had discussions about investing in PG Australia, was charged by police with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend.
A partnership with Bannister never proceeded.
Police allege he harassed his former girlfriend Dani Morris over text and social media during the New Year period last month.
The 47-year-old was convicted in his absence two weeks ago, with a magistrate telling the court a warrant for his arrest be issued if he doesn’t show up for sentencing this week.
Outside of the criminal court, he has been locked in a civil legal battle with the ATO and a long list of creditors over claims of unpaid bills and loans.
The Daily Telegraph sent a list of questions to PG, including why it has not filed a single class action in the last year and of its association with Bannister.
In response, a PG spokesman claimed the firm’s involvement acting on behalf of victims of BHP’s dam disaster in Brazil was a reason it had been inactive in Australia.
“Cases of the scale of the class action being pursued on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of victims of BHP’s Mariana Dam disaster, currently underway in the UK, require considerable time and resources,” he said.
“We’ve made a deliberate decision to prioritise this case until its conclusion, with the Australian partnership offering strategic guidance and support, before turning our focus to launching new cases in Australia.
“Pogust Goodhead have a number of matters under investigation in Australia but will only proceed once we’re satisfied of their merit.”
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